SOLID Strike confirmed he is still on an upward curve with his third victory of the season at the Braes of Derwent point-to-point fixture at Downhills at the weekend.

The eight-year-old moved with ease through the race and was always going to win under owner/trainer/rider Paul Collins in the Formosus Tiles Intermediate Race once he hit the front on the bridle after two out.

Staying on strongly in the closing stages, he had four lengths to spare over Viacometti at the line which holds him in good stead ahead of his appearance in the Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters' Chase at Hexham Racecourse a week on Saturday.

Proven stayer, Beggar's Velvet extended his unbeaten sequence between the flags to three in the Blackberry Estates Ladies Open Race.

Close up behind the leaders from the outset, the 10-year-old went on with Sharivarry two out and, after taking a slender advantage at the last, stayed on best under Jacqueline Coward to score by three-quarters-of-a length.

This was Coward's 10th winner of the season and she needs only two more to take her career tally in point-to-point to 150.

For Yes supplemented his recent Berwickshire Maiden win in the Ford Parts Restricted Race. Always going well in the leading trio under Harriett Bryce, he went on two out and stayed on strongly from the last to beat Cheshire raider, Happy Ring House by four lengths.

Bollin Buster provided Nick Orpwood with his 50th career winner between the flags in the Linda Philipson Horse Sales four, five and six year olds Open Maiden Race. 

The six-year-old, home-bred by Fiona Deans, drew clear from two out to beat Desimadonna by five lengths. 

Orpwood's initial success came on Dere Street in the Berwickshire PPORA Novice Riders Race at Friars Haugh in April 2006 and he has also ridden six winners Under Rules.

William Easterby, a third year agriculture student at Newcastle University, took the riding honours with a double on stable companions, Camden and Four Oceans.

Ex-chaser Camden headed Ballyvesey two out and kept on well to score by a couple of lengths with the improving Nickwillis (Cameron Wadge) a further length away in third.

Four Oceans got off the mark on only his second start for the yard in the Frank White Open Maiden Race.

In command from two out, he cruised home 13 lengths ahead of Dollar Mick and looks a really smart prospect. 

After a few near misses, the ultra-consistent Great Gusto landed the Braes of Derwent Hunt Supporters Club NPPA Club Members Race in the hands of his owner/trainer/rider Will Ramsay.

Never headed from the seventh, the 10-year-old was left well clear at the last when the tiring Two Stroke fell.

After 10 of this season's 15 meetings, Kit Alexander still holds a 21 point lead over Tom Hamilton in the Northern Area Men's Jockeys Championship, while Wark rider Catherine Walton is 16 ahead of Rachael McDonald in the ladies‘ equivalent.

Connor Wood has a slender one point advantage over Laura Fenwick in the novice riders’ championship.

A couple of well contested pony races sponsored by Todd‘s Highway Maintenace preceded the main action.

The 138cm and under division went to Stretcholt Hermes (Charlie Todd) from Ninfield Millionaire's Splendour (Elliot Stockwell) and Spirit (Anna Bailey), while the 148cm and under division went to Judge Fox (Archie Frank) from Doppio Movimento (Nick Barrtt-Atkin) and Rubyroo (Roy Day).

Meanwhile, racing returned to Hexham Racecourse this week with the third meeting of the year but the changing ground conditions to heavy meant there were only 45 entries on the seven race card.

Feature race on the card was The Hexham Auction Mart Handicap Hurdle with a prize fund of £11,000, won very comfortably by the locally trained Beyondtemptation.

The eight-year-old mare gave owner, breeder, trainer Johnathon Haynes, based near Greenhead, a fifth win in six races and jockey Thomas Dowson his second win in three as she claimed victory by 17 lengths.

The fixture started with a seven length triumph by 17/2 shot Newtown Lad trained by Lucinda Russell at Kinross, while Conquer Gold, ridden by Brian Harding for Nicky Richards, romped the Thornton Firkin Maiden Hurdle by 14 lengths.

Jockey Sam Coltherd enjoyed a double as he guided Surprise Vendor to a three length win for father Stewart Coltherd in The Ramside Event Catering Handicap Chase, followed by victory by 18 lenghts on Ockey De Neulliac in the three mile hunter chase.

Flaming Thistle, trained by John Cockbun and ridden by Grant Cockburn rode to an eight length success in the Racing To School Handicap Chase, with the ‘bumper’ going to the Stephen Mulqueen-ridden Knocklayde for trainer Katie Scott.

Up next is next Saturday’s evening meeting which features the historic, The Prestigious Eve Aitchison Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters Steeple Chase.

Other highlights on the seven race card is the two-mile Bobby Roberts Memorial Handicap Hurdle and The Ramside Event Catering Ltd Steeple Chase run over three miles. Last race is due off at 8.25pm.

The racecourse’s courtesy buses will pick up at the town’s railway station at 3.40pm and the bus station at 3.45pm.